Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: Windmill Palm

Family: Arecaceae

Distribution: China & Japan

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 7a 0 to 5 F

Life form: Palm

Usage: Ornamental flowering palm

Comments: Windmill palm, is native to subtropical and temperate mountain forests of China where it typically grows to 20-40’ tall with a solitary trunk densely covered with hair-like fibers from old leaf sheaths. From the top of the trunk, large palmate fan-shaped dark green leaves to 3’ wide push outward in all directions on 2-3’ long petioles in a form purportedly resembling a windmill. Leaves are segmented about half way, with the segment tips often drooping. For a palm, it has excellent winter hardiness. Attractive yellowish flowers in drooping panicles to 2’ long bloom in summer, give way to dark blue drupes.
Typically grown in organically rich, moderately fertile, evenly moist but well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.